WELCOME TO ANOTHER DECADE OF EXCELLENT ENTERTAINMENT AND FUN AT THE RITZ ACOUSTIC CLUB. Check out the amazing line-up of acts we have for you in 2010.

Forthcoming Acts for the Showcase/Buffet Nights (on our third thursdays) in 2010 are:-

VENEZUELA on MARCH 18th 2010

WIZZ JONES on APRIL 15th 2010

PYRATES! on MAY 20th 2010

THE CHERRY PICKERS on JUNE 17th 2010

EDDIE MARTIN on JULY 15th 2010

BAG OF RATS on AUGUST 19th 2010

RAG MAMA RAG on OCTOBER 21st 2010

DOORS OPEN AT 8.00pm and there are normally two Open Mic sets before the guest band/act comes on at about 9.45pm. The buffet is served at 8.30pm.

More details on the events and artistes here

This year’s AGM took place on Monday 26th October 2009 at 7.30pm. Greg Aylmer was returned for the third year as Chairman, and Ted Heath took the place of Vice-Chairman.

It is with sadness that I have to inform you that Doreen passed away peacefully on Friday 3rd July 2009 at 7.45pm, following a long struggle against cancer. As well as being a major part of the Ritz Social Club and Club Steward for many years, Doreen was a big supporter of both the Ritz Acoustic Club and member of the organising committee for the Folkfest.

We all have a great many fond and humurous memories of Doreen, who showed us all her true fun-loving side and her desire to get “stuck-in” on any task or job she was ever given.
We miss you dearly, sleep well.

The Ritz Acoustic Club is ten years old this month.

After an acoustic concert,open mic night in Highbridge on the First of May 1999, organised by CADS (Burnham and Highbridge Cultural Arts Society), at which local players such as Dave Neville, Pete Beech and Jim Topping gave their best, it was thought it would be a good idea to have an open mike night every week, where anyone could come along and play. So the ‘Home Brue Folk Club’ (as it was originally named) had their first night the following Friday night on 7th May 1999 and started in the skittle alley of the Crown pub in Burnham, at which 12 people attended. The events were organised by Dave Neville with help from other locals such as Pete Beech, Nigel Snook, Dave Chave and Jim Topping. As its popularity grew it soon became necessary to find a larger venue.

A few short months later the club moved to the Jubilee room in the Ritz Social Club and became a weekly event. At this time it might be worth mentioning that the club had £4.50 in the kitty, and most, if not all the equipment was either owned by Dave Neville, or begged and borrowed. The club later changed its name to ‘The Ritz Acoustic Club’ after moving to its current venue at the Ritz Social Club.

A celebratory evening was held on Thursday 21st May, with many old friends attending and performing.

The Club will be open every Thursday night as usual with the normal three sets of Open Mic. Please get there early (before 8.30pm) to book your slot. THIRD THURSDAYS are Buffet/Showcase Nights as detailed below. If you want to play on a third thursday in the two available sets, then e-mail us or phone us to book a slot.

If you’ve never played on a stage before or used a PA System, come along early at about 7.45pm and ask to have a quick practice on stage before the audience comes in. We guarantee a warm reception for new players and those who are just starting out, this could be the start of a bright career or just something you’ve always wanted to do!

The AGM took place at 7.00pm 2nd October 2008 at the Ritz Social Club, Victoria St. Burnham-on-Sea. There were no changes in the current committee, with all existing committee members being re-elected

The Committee is as follows:
Chairman: Greg Aylmer
Vice Chairman : Bryan Counsell
Secretary: Debbie Beckett
Treasurer: Doug Liles
PR and Acts: Dominic Wills
Fundraising: Trish Liles
Membership: Caroline Boyce
Webmaster: Graham Cook
Equipment Mgr: Graham Cook
Members without Portfolio:
Don Counsell
Harry Boyce
Pete Beach

Thursday 16th August saw Eddie Martin at his very best, with an enthusiastic crowd of 130 at the Ritz enjoying his every strum and blast on the old “Gob-Iron”.

I’ve seen Eddie quite a few times, but there seems to be something extra in his performance now that connects his music to the audience in a way I’d not seen before. The guitar playing was authentic, and the harmonica exquisite. His vocals created a truly american blues feel, and unlike many other British Blues Players, he delivered the songs as they should be delivered, with joy and expression. Thanks Eddie for great night, come back soon.

Thursday 19th July 2007 saw Jackie Oates take to the Ritz Stage ably accompanied by brother Doug (Jim Moray) on Guitar and Vocals.

Jackie produced an accomplished performance with an enchanting traditional vocal and polished viola and an interesting harmonium accompaniment, and we look forward to seeing her again at the Folkfest on Sunday 2nd September, when she will be appearing in Manor Gardens at about 1.15pm. Jim also delighted us with a couple of self-penned numbers, with strong vocal and excellent guitar playing.
It’s nice to see younger people playing traditional songs with feeling, and delivering them in a style that is appealing to all ages.

Check out Jim Moray’s music at Jim’s Myspace
Check out Jackie Oates’ music at Jackie’s website or
Jackie’s Myspace

One of the great things about the club is that every week, we normally end the evening with an impromptu jam session, normally lead by Pete “guess what chord I’m playing now” Beach. Here’s a photo courtesy of Caroline from our normal weekly club night (3rd May 2007), with the aptly named “Jock Strap Ensemble”